American Heart Association

Contact Information American Heart Association, Inc. 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231-4596 TX Tel. 214-373-6300 Toll Free 800-242-8721 Fax 214-706-1191 Stroke Know the signs & symptoms of stroke.

Type: Private - Not-for-Profit
On the web: http://www.americanheart.org
Employees: 3,500

The American Heart Association (AHA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to the fight against heart disease and stroke (both among the nation's top killers), and other cardiovascular illnesses. In addition to conducting research, the association serves as a clearinghouse for information on heart-related diseases and conditions and acts as an advocate on public policy issues related to its mission. The organization boasts a National Center in Dallas, as well as eight affiliate offices located throughout the US and in Puerto Rico. The AHA was founded in 1924 by six cardiologists, who recognized the need to widely share their heart disease education and research.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending June, 2008:
Sales: $641.6M

Officers:
Chairman: Neil M. Meltzer
CEO: Nancy A. Brown
COO, Field Operations: Gordon L. McCullough

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association was formed as a medical society to share knowledge about heart disease. In 1948, the association was reorganized into a voluntary health organization whose mission is building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

With headquarters in Dallas, Texas, there are eight regional American Heart Association affiliates and more than 3,000 full-time and part-time staff. More than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters carry out the association's mission in communities across the country. A volunteer board of directors, with members from science, medicine, business, and industry, governs the association.

In 2007 a budget of about $700 million supported research, public and professional education, community programs, and advocacy. Research funded by the association has contributed significantly to CPR training, bypass surgery, pacemakers, artificial heart valves, microsurgery, and life-extending drugs. Education messages emphasize quitting smoking; controlling blood pressure; eating a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet; being physically active; and maintaining a healthy weight.

A major goal of the American Heart Association is to reduce coronary heart disease and stroke (and the risk factors for these conditions) by 25 percent by the year 2010.

In November 1998, the association created a division called the American Stroke Association. Its goal is to support stroke-education programs, stroke-related research, and stroke survivors and their caregivers.

(SEE ALSO: American Cancer Society; American Lung Association; Atherosclerosis; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases; Coronary Artery Disease; Stroke)

— CAROL LEBEN

American Heart Association

Founders	Physicians and social workers
Founded	1915
Headquarters	7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75231-4596
Staff	Dr. Timothy Gardner, M.D. President
Mission	"Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke"
Motto	Learn and Live
Website	Official Website

The American Heart Association (AHA) is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke."

The American Heart Association publishes a standard for providing basic and advanced life support, including standards for proper performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Most widely accepted certification for basic life support (BLS). The AHA is now also a provider of training for first aid, in addition to CPR.

Dr. Timothy Gardner, M.D. is the current President of the American Heart Association.

The AHA also operates an affiliated organization, the American Stroke Association, which focuses on care, research and prevention of strokes.

In 1994, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, an industry publication, released the results of the largest study of charitable and non-profit organization popularity and credibility conducted by Nye Lavalle & Associates. The study showed that the American Heart Association was ranked as the 5th "most popular charity/non-profit in America" of over 100 charities researched with 45% of Americans over the age of 12 choosing Love and Like A lot for the American Heart Association .^[1]

See also

• Automated external defibrillator (AED)
• Basic life support, a standard published by the AHA
• Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), a standard published by the AHA
• AHA-1,

External links

• Official website
• American Stroke Association Web site
• American Heart Association Training Web Site

References

1. ^ The Charities Americans Like Most And Least, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, December 13, 1996 And USA Today, December 20, 1994, "Charity begins with health", FINAL 01D

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